Electromagnetic control means



2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed NOV. 10, 1950 FIG.I:

WILLIAM J. WEINFURT Nov. 4, 1952 w. J. WEINFURT 2,617,050

ELECTROMAGNETIC CONTROL MEANS Filed NOV. 10, 1950 2 SHEETS-SHEET2 WILLIAM J. WEN? INV 0 If ORNEY Patented Nov. 4, 1952 UNITED STATES FF I'CE Application November 10, 1950, SerialNo..195,121

'7 Claims.

1 This invention relates to electro-magnetic means-for controlling .the operation of apparatus with which thesaid means may beassociated.

The use of a voltage sensitive device to control a selection-of taps on a tapped winding of :a transformer is the mostcommon embodiment of the present invention. Numerous other types of control and applicationarealsozpossible. The sensitivedevice maybe .made to respond .to any electrical quantity, such'as voltage, current, reactive volt amperes, or power (watts).

An object :of this invention is to .provide .an

electro-magnetic control means which is adapted "to function with other apparatus to g'ive a very sensitive and'reliable-control to theapparatus with which it is used.

Another object of this inventionis to provide *anelectro-magnetic controlmeans which com- -bines 'both the control and control actuating mechanism as a uniitary structure.

A further-object-ofthis inventionis'to provide an elective-magnetic control means, which is adapted to impart a maximum displacement of the operating element to thereby impart aliigh optimum work output responsive .toiinput energy.

Still another obj ectof this. inventionto, protion to a driven member.

More specifically, objectspf thisinventionare to provide an elec-tro-magnetic, alternating current control "means whichhas a vibratory operating armature and-an ancillary .armature which responds to voltage variations :impressed on the energizing coil of the field structure, -both'the vibrating and ancillary -.armatures adaptedito concurrently provide translator-y. motionto. a selfaligning contact operating rod .centrally positioned through-theaperture of..said armatures and through theopening of said electroemagnetic field structure.

Other and ancillary objects will be discerned by one skilled in this artffrom a reading of'the specification takenin connection Withitheannexed drawings, wherein:

Figurel is a diagrammatic view showing'a system of regulation'inlwhich a tap changer maybe operated by the electro-magnetic control :device.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view,partiy"in'section and partlyinelevation, of the novelelectromagnetic control device.

Figure 3 isa cross-sectional view taken onlines 33 of Figure 2.

Figure 41s a "fragmentary view,"partly insection, of a modified form "of the device.

Referring to Figure 1, a'transformerhasbeen indicated generally by the "reference character I. It isprovided witha primary? and a secondary 3 connected,respectively,tothe powerlline .2 4 and theload'lline fi. JA tap changer, indicated generally 'by the reference vcharacter I6, is provided on the primary side of the transformer. This tap changer B is preferably of the multiple 5 point, snap-action type yerycommonly and widely.-used.

The energizing .coill of the novel electro-mag- .netic voltage sensitive control device, indicated generally by reference character 8, is connected .across theiload or secondary'linei. The contact .operatingrodifi-is operably'linked tothe'tap arm "6a of .the tapchanger'fi and is actuated in aman- .ner as .will hereinafter be described.

The novel structureis clearly shown in Figure .2,.towhichattentioniis now directed. The'elecltroemagnetic circuit -for the energizing coil 1 is composed of'the stationary ,cores .or poles I0. and III, the vibratory armature I2, and the ancillary armature I31 The .self-containednnit may be suitably mounted within 'the'transformer tank, or without, as desired, "by one of any well-known mounting devices.

The vibratory armature I! is resiliently supported relative "to the "stationary cores 1 G and I I A 'convenient 'mounting-means is illustrated with the leaf springs -I4 and I5 positioned in such manner that the armature will vibrate parallel to the axis of the operating rod 9'in responseto periodicexcitation whichresults in'the magnetic circuit-when-alternating current-is applied'to the coil -'I. Although two leatf springs l4=and I5 are -shown,-it'will be apparent that more springsof this nature may be positionedtosupportthe armature I 2. It will also be apparent that the armature may i be otherwiseiresiliently.supported by any ofwe1l-I-known: means. .Thezroda is preferably of a non-magnetic material such assstain- -less steel. .The armature I'2;is-,,provided with'opposed "hardened tconicalasurfaces l 6 and :I-I,- said 40 conical surfaces each :having their axis concen- -tric withr-the; axis of I thetoperating rod 19.

':The rod: S-Iispositioned withinithebore of :the sleeve sl:8. Thisrsleeve is ,prefer-ablycf a non- :magnetiematerialandpermanently affixed to the iancillary armature #I3. The core ompole-I-I is :pref crab-1y 1 vcounterbered tov receive a coil spring I9. This'spring is normally under compression and: urging the-.-armature I 3 away. from the core iorpole l I.

Two sets of z a series. of .hardened balls. .and :2 I .are disposed .between.the. conical. surfaces 16 and I1 respectively, and the .operatingrod 8 as. is clearly showninFigurefi. Thesleeve'lfi isprovided withitwov sets .of a .seriesof apertures 2.2 and 23170 (accommodate theiballsifl and 2|,respectively. .It .willsbe.apparentpthough not shown, that the armature l2 .may .be provided with .a .bore concentric .withtheaxis of the operating .rod..9 and. havinga, preformed track ,or ,racein- .sertediwithin saidbore andhaving conical sur- ;faces substantially. identical to surfaces I 6' and I l.

.ilhe novel device operatesas'followsz When'a current is induced in the secondary 3 of transformer I, it will accordingly energize the coil 1 of the novel control device 8. This alternating current energization will cause the vibratory armature I2 to vibrate with the cyclic variations of the current. It is to be noted that there need not be any attempt to approach resonance between the cooperating parts to provide the desired working forces. Should the voltage across the coil 7 be higher than a predetermined value, the ancillary armature I3 along with the sleeve I8, will be drawn upwardly towards the core or pole piece II. This upward movement will force the set of balls 20, lodged in the apertures 22, to wedge between the hardened conical surface I6 and the operating rod 9. Accordingly, the balls 2 I, lodged in the apertures 23, will be moved away from the conical surface I8 and free to float within the space between the surface I8 and the operating rod 9 as is shown in Figure 2.

Energy from the constantly vibrating armature I2 will be translated to the wedged balls 20, and from these balls to the operating rod 9 which will be moved in a downward direction. It is to be noted that the rod 9 is of a non-magnetic material which has been hardened comparable to the hardened surfaces of the balls 20 and 2I. Also, the rod is completely self-aligning, so that it will respond to the vibrations no matter the position of the wedged balls 20 within the conical surface It. The sleeve I8 does not restrain the operating rod in any manner. Both the sleeve and rod are freely held within the bore of the core II to permit self-alignment. A greater degree of freedom may be provided by counterboring the core II from the top, thus providing a fulcrum ledge Ila. This ledge Ila is not necessary to the efficient operation of the device, but does not permit axial freedom for self-alignment of the rod 9 and sleeve I8.

The downward motion of the rod 9 will be translated to the tap arm 6a of the tap changer 6. The tap arm will be caused to move to another tap of the primary coil 2 of transformer I. Accordingly, the voltage across coil 1 will be decreased. The spring I9 will overcome the force of the ancillary armature I3, permitting the sleeve I8 to move downwardly and thus disengage the balls 20.

If the voltage across the coil I should drop below a predetermined value, the ancillary armature I3 and the sleeve II] will move farther down forcing the balls 2I to engage with the conical surface I! and the rod 9. The rod 9 will accordingly be urged in an upward direction by the vibrations of the armature I2. This upward motion will be translated to the tap arm 6a, which will effect a tap change to raise the voltage. It will be apparent that a state of equilibrium will be reached at which point the taps will not be changed. This will occur when the sleeve I8 so adjusts itself so that neither of the sets of balls 29 and 2| will be wedged against the surfaces I6 and I1 and the rod 9.

The displacement between minimum voltage and maximum voltage tap changer contacts may be of any extent desired, as the novel device will impart infinite translatory motion in either direction to the operating rod without regard to the contact position. The device as used in the system shown in Figure 1 is responsive only to the voltage induced in the energized coil. Another feature of this device is that it is a self-contained unit combining both the actuatng element (electro-magnetic circuit) in the same unit as the operating element (contact operating rod 9).

Although the embodiment particularly disclosed in Figures 2 and 3 is preferable, it will be obvious that the device will function effectively as shown in the modified form shown in Figure 4. The operating rod 9 is actuated in the same manner as previously disclosed. However, instead of using two sets of hardened balls, one set is provided. As shown in Figure 4, the series of hardened balls 30 is shown in operating position disposed between the conical surface 3I of the vibratory armature 32 and the rod 9. The apertures 33 of the sleeve 34 accommodate the balls 30 in substantially the same manner as described with reference to the form disclosed in Figures '2 and 3.

As shown here, the balls are positioned to translate the vibrations of the armature 32 into forces operating to impart a downward motion to the rod 9. When the voltage decreases, the apertured sleeve 34 will move the balls 39 to a position where they will be disposed between the rod 9 and the conical surfaces 35 of the vibratory armature 32 (not shown), where they will act to impart an upward motion to the rod 9. It will be apparent that a track or race with preformed conical surfaces (not shown) may be provided for the vibratory armature.

It will be apparent that the novel device may be used to actuate other equipment requiring regulation. It is to be distinctly understood that although the device has been shown as a voltage sensitive device, it can respond to widely different quantities, such as voltage as described, or current variations, or power variations, or reactive voltage ampere variations.

Although the device has been shown as used for regulating an electrical quantity, it will be apparent that the structure may be modified and adopted for other purposes without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention and that I am not to be limited except as indicated by the terms of the appended claims. Attention is directed to Figures 2 and 3, where it will be apparent that the apparatus may be utilized for intermittently propelling a driven member in a unilateral direction similar to the manner of operating the rod 9. As was stated above, one of the distinct advantages to the novel device is that it is contained in a compact unit which may be remotely controlled. The directional characteristics may be obtained in the same manner as described above by increasing or decreasing the voltage on the remote control to permit the ancillary armature I3 to be drawn towards the core II on increased voltage condition or away from it by the action of the compressed spring I9 by decreasing voltage.

It will be seen that a novel form of voltage sensitive device has been provided by this invention which does not rely on auxiliary relays or any other equipment, but is complete in itself and determines the direction of motion of the actuated or driven member automatically and without any assistance from any outside apparatus.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is:

1. An alternating current electro-mechanical control mechanism comprising in combination an energizing coil and core assembly, an electromagnetic vibratory means responsive to cyclic variations of alternating current energizing said coil, a reversible driven member, a motion translating means associated with said vibratory member for converting the vibratory motion thereof into translatory forces imparting a working thrust to said driven member, and a clutchin mechanism alternatively engaging and disengaging said motion translating means to impart directional characteristics to said driven member in direct response to fluctuations of current flow in said coil.

2. An alternating current electro-mechanical regulating device for controlling an electrical quantity comprising in combination an energizing coil and core assembly, a vibratory armature responsive to cyclic variations of alternatin current energizing said coil, an ancillary armature directly responsive to fluctuations of current fiow in said coil, a driven member, a motion translating means associated with said vibratory armature for converting the vibratory motion thereof into translatory forces imparting a working thrust to said driven member, and a clutching mechanism controlled by said ancillary armature and alternatively engaging and disengaging said motion translatory means to impart directional characteristics to said driven member.

3. In an electro-magnetic circuit, an alternating current electro-mechanical control device comprising a core and coil assembly in combination with a vibratory armature responsive to cyclic variations of alternating current energizing said coil, an ancillary armature directly responsive to voltage fluctuations in said energizing current, a rod-like driven member, said vibratory armature having wedge-like members associated therewith for releasably engaging said driven member, said wedge-like members acting to translate the vibratory motion of said vibratory armature into translatory forces imparting a working thrust to said driven member, said ancillary armature alternatively engaging and disengaging the wedge-like members to impart directional characteristics to said driven member in response to said voltage fluctuations.

4. In an electro-magnetic circuit, an alternating current electro-mechanical control device comprising a core and coil assembly in combination with a vibratory armature responsive to cyclic variations of alternating current energizing said coil, an ancillary armature responsive to voltage fluctuations in said energizing current, a rod-like driven member, said vibratory armature having an opening to receive said driven member, said opening having opposed spaced conical wall surfaces, said surfaces in outwardly converging relationship with one another, said rodlike member contained within a movable sleeve, said sleeve having spaced sets of circumferentially spaced apertures, said sleeve being slidable relative to said rod and controlled by said ancillary armature, spheroidal wedging members arranged in sets, each set positioned within each of the sets of said apertures of said sleeve and interposed between said rod-like member and said conical surfaces of said vibratory armature opening, said spheroidal wedging members acting to translate the vibratory motion of said vibratory armature into translatory forces imparting a working thrust to said driven member, said sleeve arranged to alternatively engage and disengage the sets of spheroidal Wedging members positioned in said spaced apertures to impart directional characteristics to said driven member.

5. In an electro-magnetic circuit, an alternating current electro-mechanical control device comprising a core and coil assembly in combination with a vibratory armature responsive to cyclic variations of alternating current energizing said coil, an ancillary armature responsive to voltage fluctuations in said energizing current,

a rod-like driven member, said vibratory armature having an opening to receive said driven member, said opening having opposed conical wall surfaces, said surfaces in outwardly converging relationship with one another, said rodlike member contained within a movable sleeve, said sleeve having at least one set of circumferential spaced apertures, said sleeve being slidable relative to said rod and controlled by said ancillary armature, spheroidal wedging members positioned within the apertures of said sleeve and interposed between said rod-like member and said conical surfaces of said vibratory armature opening, said spheroidal wedging members acting to translate the vibratory motion of said vibratory armature into translatory forces imparting a working thrust to said driven member, said sleeve arranged to engage and disengage the spheroidal wedging members positioned in said spaced apertures to impart directional characteristics to said driven member.

6. An electro-mechanical regulatory device for operating a transformer tap changer comprising in combination an energizing coil and core assembly, an electro-magnetic vibratory armature responsive to cyclic variations of alternating current energizing said coil, an operating rod-like member arranged for actuating said tap changer, a motion translating means associated with said vibratory armature for converting the vibratory motion thereof into translatory forces imparting a working thrust to said operating rod-like memher, and a clutching mechanism directly responsive to voltage fluctuations in the energizing current supplied to said coil, said clutching means alternatively engaging and disengaging said motion translating means to impart directional 1gharacteristics to said operating rod-like memer.

'l. An alternating current electro-machanical driving mechanism including a rod-like driven member and comprising in combination an energ zmg core and coil assembly, an electro-magnetic v bratory armature responsive to cyclic variations of alternating current energizing said coil, amotion translating means associated with said vibratory armature for converting the vibratory motion thereof into translatory forces imparting endwise motion to said driven member, and a clutching mechanism alternatively engaging and disengaging said motion translating means for imparting directional characteristics to said driven member in direct response to fluctuations in said energizing alternating current.

WILLIAM J. WEINFURT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record file of this patent: m the UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,274,875 Thompson Mar. 3, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 51,864 Sweden June 7, 1922 194,857 Switzerland Mar. 1, 1,938 

